It's Elemental

NATURE

2011-05-27T14:07:00.001-07:00

NATURE

Nature.
Neither feminine, nor masculine.
Energy- unto itself.
Caring not, of its power to destroy.
Boastful not, of its power to create.
Just, being.
The oak tree within the acorn.
The dust within a bird's bones.
The boom within a thunder-bolt.
The bending of a wind-swept Willow.
And we, within the matrix of its being,
enraptured.

Dear Blog...

2011-05-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

Yes, "Life has been busy..."
Ok, ok, I know it's been a year and a few months, and perhaps I should wipe the blogdust off my little corner of the universe. However, between my "regular" work, writing poetry, making new art, as well as other extra-curricular activities, "Life is busy" is not too bad an excuse, eh? So, here go I. Not in vain, but for the purpose of keeping up the habit of writing just a wee bit; each and every day. And for those of you who perchance stumble upon my dusty little web-log, Welcome!

(addendum)
(Per my last post re: "Faceook;" I have managed to wean myself from its addictiveness; somewhat. I AM happy to say that I no longer engage in those seductive applications, and more importantly, if one of those "Hey, Colleen, check this out!" thingies appears on my wall from a facebook "friend," (i.e. "virus," yes, I learned the very, very, hard way...) it gets deleted. Promptly.

THANK YOU, FACEBOOK...

2010-01-04T17:27:00.000-08:00

So being somewhat (ok, ok, MORE than "somewhat") of a Facebook addict, I routinely...(and by "routinely" I mean, veeeery occasionally) take those little quizzes that pop-up in my "notifications" or on other FB'ers profiles) that help one (me) determine "who my inner-goddess is," or "the-first-letter-in-the-name-of-my-soul-mate," or "what the color of my aura means..." or...well, you get the picture...and of course, I NEVER post these results to my home page for all the world to see, lest everybody know that I do, indeed, indulge in these inane little fantasies now and again...

But this one I will share...I recently took one of those little quizzes, and I'm ashamed to say I cannot even remember what the topic of the quiz WAS; but I certainly remember the RESULT... it had something to do with "personality-trait;" the end-result being something relative to "party-animal," "tart," "mad-scientist," "psycho-killer," etc. (ok, I made these up, but they are not THAT far-fetched...FB...are you listening??)...AND...wanna know what my "personality-trait" was???...

GEEK

GOD. I. LOVE. FACEBOOK.

Happy New Year? Day Two

2010-01-01T23:26:00.000-08:00

I was prepared to wish everybody a "happy new year" as I suddenly realized it's 2:28AM and thus, January 2, which makes "happy new year" old news... such is the way of instantaneous social media; making newspapers obsolete because nobody wants to read printed "news" that is already three days old, and nobody wants to hear salutations that are yesterday's greetings...
So, it's 2010 but I will have a hard time being upbeat and optimistic this new year and decade..."Why?" (you might be thinking...or not)...
Because my son is heading off to Afghanistan (along with 1500 other Vermonters), and let's face it, THAT just sucks, pure and simple, without getting into a foreign-policy rant and rave. SO, I will respectfully continue to make music and art, drink $12.99 bottles of wine, cry into my pillow each night, and drag myself out of bed every weekday morning to make it to work by 9 AM. And if I have a smile on my face when you see me, don't be too fooled.

I'M BACK!

2009-12-28T17:17:00.000-08:00

So, yes, I admit I have neglected this little blogspot for FAR too long...but life gets so crazy hectic busy and I know that is NO excuse! In the meantime, I have managed to create a lot of art, play music at several pig-roasts this past summer, and get a New Year's Eve gig with the newest incarnation of my band..."Unusual Suspects." Yep, lots of "Usual Suspects" out there, (tip O' the hat to a GREAT movie)so we sought to stand out from the crowd by being "Unusual." Party like it's 2009...
More to come in twenty-ten!

Getting BACK into the groove...!

2009-02-28T12:10:00.000-08:00

After a 3-year hiatus, I'm jumping into the musical-fray once again, because if the Rolling Stones, The Eagles, Steely Dan and Fleet Mac (who are all MUCH older than I...hehe) can still be out there thrilling everybody on the soundstage, I guess I can, too!!
But seriously, after the last few band practices, I have found that my energy was boosted to new levels- especially after such a lethargic winter- and I SOOOO miss singing "LIVE" with other musicians, as well as the camaraderie... Most everybody certainly gets something from listening to music, but musicians are a whole different breed... music is definitely in our blood just as oxygen is, and I think we musicians die a slow death of suffocation when deprived of the ability to make it!

A few of some recent (and not so recent) past pics of music-making...
top-bottom:
*"The Mix" re-union (a few years after our last gig at Nectar's)
*"Me and a Marine" (My friend Paula's Son, right before his re-deployment to Afghanistan...serenading him with a rendition of 4 Non-Blondes "What's Up?" at the Edgewater Pub in Colchester, (one of our favorite gigs!!) It's been turned into a donut shop now, I think...dang.
*Shakin' down at Nectar's...(No, that's NOT Jeff Beck, it's Richie Esposito!! (hugs!)
*"Wish" my very first band, somewhere on the East Coast... back in the days I played keyboards...I think I was about 4 months pregnant with my son in this pic!!

1000 Handmade Greetings

2009-02-22T15:37:00.000-08:00

It's so much fun to say, "I'm published!" Two of my greeting card submissions were published in Rockport Publishers/Quarry Books 2009 "1000 Handmade Greetings." Quarry Books focuses on contemporary artist designs in a variety of media, and this is their most recent publication. My cards are featured on pages 26 and 223. The book is fabulous, and the diversity and creativity of the card artists featured is incredible... I am thrilled to be included!

1000Markets

2008-12-21T18:23:00.000-08:00

Today I joined an AWESOME on-line marketplace for artisans of all creative endeavors to open shop...It's called 1000Markets; it's free but each shop must be approved prior to going "live." The community theme is similar to ETSY, yet it has very different, and very cool features- like a front page "comment wall" for other shop owners to comment, and a front page Blog for the shop owner to blog and post pics. There are a variety of "Markets" one can join which characterizes your product and encourages networking with like-minded artisans. AND- payment is through amazon.com (required to open a business account with amazon.com)- but the great thing is that when somebody buys from your shop, payment is IMMEDIATE....ALL THE TIME... there is a direct connection between amazon and 1000markets- no more deadbeat buyers which occasionally occurs on ETSY. There is also no cost for uploading your items. Total commission fee is "5.5% plus .50 cents" on each sold item. Not a bad deal, not bad at all! The founders are very responsive to queries, and the over-all vibe/energy of the site is calm, cool, relaxed and very positive. There is truly a sense of community, and everybody is pretty darn excited to be there! I think the site went live in August, and there are quite a few shops open. As of now they feature ONLY artist-made shops, no vintage, supplies, etc to bury the artist shops, but they may invite those shops in the future. A big thank you to Ellen of YellowDog Farm for the heads-up, and a big, big thank you to Lisa of 1000Markets for featuring my Farmer's Market notecards on the "Fabulous Finds" community page...on my FIRST "live" day, (Winter Solstice), on 1000Markets...whoo hoo!!

A Big Vermont Party....

2008-03-03T16:16:00.000-08:00

We in Vermont... we LOVE our PARTIES with a big dose of politics thrown into the mix just for shits and giggles....but seriously, in the time-frame BBE* (before bernie era; circa 1791-1980)... Vermont, for many years a staunchly independent-minded, "get-your-government-out-of-my-face" entity, somehow morphed into a "Progressive with a capital "P" power-to-the-people-greener-than-thou" conglomerate, when all the flatlanders rolled into town wanting to be big fishes in a small pond...(and just to tout my own horn, I am a fifth-generation NATIVE VERMONTER, thank you, although the NATIVE native Vermonters were here long before me)...
Anyway, because Vermont now has a lot of beer drinkers who appreciate "do-it-yourself" micro-breweries, each year the Micro-brewery known as "MAGIC HAT" throws a huge MARDI GRAS parade/party...even though this year, (2008), it happened a week AFTER Mardi GRAS, (in which case we really don't care...it could have happened on July 3rd and we Vermonters would still have come out to the parade because it's an excuse to have a party and drink beer)... BUT...Something truly magical has been going on, because this is a Presidential election year...and people are looking/hoping/praying for some SERIOUS CHANGE after EIGHT LONG, DARK YEARS of the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld N.I.G.H.T.M.A.R.E...sOOOO... I present to you a little bit of "Magic Hat" Mardi Gras Parade/Party 2008... Oh...tomorrow is Vermont's "Town Meeting Day" (The REAL "Super-Tuesday"!!...God, I love Vermont!@) or, the VT Democratic Primary, which will determine who Vermonters choose to be the 44th President of the United States...I think the Magic Hat might have gotten it right...
(And I had to throw in a pic of Ben and Jerry's, celebrating their 30th Birthday...I still remember the day they opened their scoop shop in the renovated gas station on College St...Damn, if only I had aspired to be an ice-cream scooper when i was 16...I could possibly have been a VERY RICH GIRL today!@@@@>>>)

* "Bernie" is Vermont's first...note FIRST... Brooklyn-born SOCIALIST and some say "carpet-bagger" Mayor (of Burlington...won by a mere 10 votes way back in 1980, but that's ANOTHER long post/story!) who shouted his way into the hearts and souls of progressive-minded Burlingtonians...all the way to Washington, DC...and who says that miracles don't happen??

"Winter is a Drag" Ball

2008-02-22T09:59:00.001-08:00

As I type, the snow continues to fall outside my poorly insulated windows making March 20th (Spring) seem like eons away...
Fortunately, the Lemay Sisters of "House of Lemay" (www.houseoflemay.com) fame helped ease the burden of icy roofs and snow-blocked driveways via their annual "Winter is a Drag" Ball. Held last Saturday, February 16, at Higher Ground in So. Burlington (www.highergroundmusic.com), the standing room-only party packed both the ballroom and show-case lounge with tons of music, entertainment, dancing, art, raffles, and um, loads of "gender-bending." So in celebration of my birthday on Valentine's Day, I became "Madame Valentine" and my daughter became "Andrea," playing a girl playing a boy playing a girl...or something like that (fourth picture down)... and all for a good cause- all proceeds of the ball went to the Vermont Coalition of People with Aids and HIV. Most of the people in the following pics are either related to me, sing with me, or just wanted to get in on the act!
(PS...check out "Winter is a Drag Ball" 2006 "A Toast to New Orleans" on the House of Lemay Website "past Drag Balls" ...third picture down features "moi" singing with The Decoys, opening with Ike & Tina Turner's "Rolling on the River," and ending with "Lady Marmelade." What a blast! And congrats to the "Sistahs" for setting a record in selling the highest number of tickets for a one-night event, Rocky Horror Valentine Drag ball, in the history of Higher Ground! Guess winter is not such a drag after all)!!

Winter is a Drag...

2008-02-22T09:42:00.000-08:00

Published!

2008-02-09T07:03:00.000-08:00

Seeing as this is a personal blog, I can be completely unprofessional in bragging about the fact that my greeting cards were accepted for publication in a forthcoming book entitled;
1000 Hand Made Greeting Cards
Published by Rockport Publishers/Quarry Books which "Create beautiful illustrated source books for professional designers and artisans of all types." RP also states,
"Our books present the best design work from around the world and bring you inside the world's most talented design and art studios to see how the work gets done and the inspiration that lies behind each finished piece."
Check it out: www.rockpub.com/graphic-design.asp

So, here goes...."YIPEEEEEE!"

New Developments...

2008-02-08T16:32:00.000-08:00

So much for my "New Year's Resolution..." related to "writing more" on this blog, but I am trying!! Some new developments to brag about, nonetheless!
My art dolls and greetings cards are now being offered at the wonderful new boutique, Candles and Creations, located at 150 Dorset Street in South Burlington, Vermont. C&C is owned and operated by Heather Paine and Casey Webster Stabile- Featuring local and regional artists, Heather and Casey's vision was to open a shop with a very special mission; many of the artists featured contribute proceeds to charitable causes. Classes are offered, and they host a really cool monthly workshop called "Sixth-Sensory World." About 35 people showed up at last month's "Colors" workshop. Check out Heather and Casey's own work, view their press, and learn more about Candles and Creations:

http://www.dragonflygiftsvt.com

http://www.cwcreationsvt.com

Sweet Treats!

2008-01-11T12:44:00.000-08:00

Something sweet is happening in Burlington's New North End...
Do you live in (or plan to visit) the Burlington area? If so, head north down North Avenue and swing a right onto Gosse Court, followed by your first left into the driveway of "Sweet Treats." Sweet Treats is a new bake shop owned and operated by Jessica Leclair and her mom- offering all sorts of hand-baked goodies, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, and local art on the bright sunny walls. My greeting cards are now available at Sweet Treats as well, including an assortment of birthday, holiday, thank you, and scenic land-scape. So stop in, and treat yourself to something sweet!

Happy New Year!

2008-01-07T16:23:00.000-08:00

Does anyone else have the sense that "Time" seems to be speeding up?? I am just starting to get used to dating my work notes, checks, etc "2008," but it just seems that only last month we were all freaking out about the "Millenium Bug...." 2008...geez.
So my New Year's resolution is to write more, and more often, in addition to creating artsy/crafty things, and to promote and feature the work of others. I truly sense we are moving closer to a more egalitarian sphere of reference, as we slowly move out of the dark days of the last 7 years. Let's hope.

"Will it be Louise??"

2007-12-17T16:29:00.000-08:00

Ok, so hopefully my sister, "Lucky Louise" will have escaped the December "Nor'Easter" and will catch her flight tomorrow to NYC for a two-day cruise where the Norwegian Cruise Lines will be announcing their chosen "Godmother" of their newest Cruise Liner...being chosen one of five finalists in a pool of over 400 contestants already makes her a winner in the eyes of her friends, colleagues, brothers and sisters, but we are all routing for her nonetheless!!
(A quick synopsis of the contest...NCL (Norwegian Cruise Lines) sponsored a contest to choose the next "Godmother" of a new cruiseliner "Gem"...contestants had to create a video of "why they should be chosen as Godmother..." NCL created a fictional "character" called the Gem "It" girl to help contestants create a picture of themselves as the Gem "it" girl godmother of the ship....for example, the Gem "it" girl's favorite color is "Leopard," the celebrity she would most like to meet is John Legend, etc... So each contestant created and submitted a video (90 seconds long) to NCL making the case as to why they should be chosen the NCL Gem "It" girl....for about a month, regular people could go online to the website of NCL and "vote" for their favorite video, which counts for about 15% of total winning votes...the NCL folks carry the most weight for final winner, but they sure made it fun for the regular folks...Also, it's a pretty big deal to be "Godmother" of a cruise liner...most "godmothers" happen to be major celebrities, so this was a very unique contest. Anyway, Louise's video was fun, clever, relevant, creative, and of course she is such a "hottie" that of course she was chosen as a finalist! And it sure doesn't hurt that this will be her 17th cruise with NCL. The five finalists won a 2-day cruise on NCL where they will announce the grand-prize winning "Godmother" of the NCL "Gem."
But here is the REAL kicker... IF she wins...
She wins a ten-day cruise and can take along 5 guests (please note, Louise has FIVE SISTERS) who will stay in the 5000 square-foot VIP Suite... (also note...Louise also has FIVE BROTHERS who just fleetingly wish they were a "sister," but because we sisters would just love to take our brothers along, we have all agreed to pool our $$ and buy tickets for the whole fam damily and have one freakin' family reunion for ten days in the 5000 square foot VIP Suite somewhere in the middle of the Carribean...or, um, Mediterranean....and I am positively 100% sure that none of our brothers would mind having to sleep on the couch for a few days...
Now, Louise being the progressive and generous soul that she is, decided to bring a gift, win OR lose, to present to the Captain and hosts of the Ship; and this is where I come in...
Louise commisioned an art piece, and decided on a Gem "It" Mermaid, representative of the sea, and complete with all of the Gem "It" girl's favorite things...right down to the Leopard print...She also has a Tower (not pictured) with hooks for guests to place their charms on, for good luck, of course, while they sail the deep blue seas...
And so, tomorrow (Tues. December 18, 2007) Louise will call us from the deck of the ship to let us know if she and we have won...keep your fins, er, fingers crossed!!

NCL "Godmother..."

2007-12-17T16:26:00.000-08:00

A Vermont Daily Briefing...

2007-11-07T18:09:00.000-08:00

Those who know and love me best are aware that I occasionally have "political opinions" and when perchance the topic is brought up or inadvertantly stumbled upon, do their best to promptly change the subject.

Sometimes, as luck would have it, someone comes along who, like myself, and hopefully with a good bottle of wine, wouldn't mind "whittling away the hours" in fervant debate about the foibles and follies of American politics.

I guess I got lucky. Check out my Nov. 7 Featured Reader Spot, titled:

"This is VDB: In Which Vermont Daily Briefing Readers are Revealed to be Themselves"

on the number one political blog in Vermont, "Vermont Daily Briefing."

You can find all the news, fun, and laughs here:

http://www.vermontdailybriefing.com/

It's a good thing my studio has windows...

2007-11-04T16:41:00.000-08:00

There is just something wonderful about going bra-less and staying in my sweats and tee for the entire weekend; doing nothing but drinking coffee in the morning, wine in the evening, all the while fervishly creating little goodies for my upcoming craft shows- like a little elf trying to beat Santa's deadline...(was that a run-on sentence??)
I have managed to make 4 more art journals, and two mixed-media art dolls- and thanks to 104.7 "The Point" for its Saturday night 11-1 AM show, (I think its called "The Cosmic Lounge??" ) for its inspiring world music...and as you can see from my little creation below, the music definitely had its effect on me! (visit my shop www.itselemental.etsy.com to see how it was made). And as of today, the last remnants of the autumn leaves are falling from the trees in my backyard- including a gargantuan Oak, and a maple that appeared to be aflame during its peak. I thought the leaves on the ground would make a nice backdrop for my art doll pics.

Craft Madness!!

2007-11-04T16:37:00.000-08:00

Autumn in Vermont...

2007-10-21T15:17:00.000-07:00

We are all familiar with the song, "Moonlight in Vermont," but someody oughtta write a new tune and call it "Autumn in Vermont..."

Today is October 21 and the weather sunny and 70! I cannot remember a more beautiful Harvest Season, including a fabulous crop of apples and pumpkins. As I speak (write) at 6:12 PM, the sunset sky is a crisp blue with an array of wispy clouds in brilliant orange-red. No wonder artists, poets, writers and lovers flock to Vermont! And here are a few pics to prove it, which I have photographed today and a few days ago. (These images are also available as greeting cards- check them out on my webstore http://www.itselemental.etsy.com/)

Traveling Trunk Show

2007-10-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

The Burlington Craft Mafia's Traveling Trunk Show at Red Square this past Friday was a great venue. Set in a bar, al beit Burlington's most popular bar, had me thinking patrons would be doing a lot of looking but not buying...I'm happy to say, "how wrong I was!" The setting was very warm and cozy, a nice match for BCM artisans selling hand-made/designed jewelry, clothing, fibers, glasswares, greeting cards, journals,and mixed-media artworks. Live music by "Colin Clary and a Magog" was a huge ++. A lot of fun, and made sales to boot! My only advice for anyone considering a similar venue- bring some portable lighting! For more pics, visit Kacey at www.subsixstudios.com. A big thank you to all who stopped by!

It really, truly is October!!

2007-10-07T16:39:00.000-07:00

So as I mentioned in my previous post, I took a group of Seniors on a boat cruise luncheon last Thurday, and it was nearly 80 degrees and 100% sunny. Unbelievable weather. Snapped a few pictures because I cannot be near the water without snapping a few pics of the Waterfront. Below is a shot of the Burlington Boathouse- notice all the sailboats anchored out front?? the only reason they are not out in the broad lake is because there was not a breeze to be felt. I'm guessing the sailboat owners were all in their shorts and Tee-shirts, shopping on the Church Street Marketplace. And notice the tree over to the left? That tree with all the green-leaves? hmmm...I'm thinking they should be red, or gold, anything but green at this time of year...

And the little seagull who came in for a landing to check things out...looking completely relaxed and unconcerned... no, that little seagull is NOT thinking that, soon he will have to dip his little webbed-toes into the frigid waters of lake Champlain...mmm, mmm...that little seagull is thinking about scarfing his next french-fry off some little kid at battery Park, just up the street... ahhh, yes, the hazy, lazy, crazy days of October....(Oops...that's the "summer" song! instead, I'll go with "Shine on, shine on harvest moon....")

Is it really October??

2007-10-07T16:16:00.000-07:00

It's Vermont and the leaves on the trees are still green- and it's almost mid-October- and the temperature has been in the mid-seventies- not that I'm complaining...

Two weeks ago I went apple picking and it was in the 7o's, last Thursday (Oct. 4) I took a group of Seniors on a luncheon cruise aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen, and it was almost 80 degrees. Luckily, my neighbors have their pumpkins out, the stores are decorated with scarecrows, ghosts and goblins, everyone is having "Harvest Fests", and last week was the Harvest Moon...If not for these things, I would probably think it's still July! The pagan in me absolutely loves the Harvest Season, my favorite time of year, October my favorite month...and how beautiful it has been so far, even if the foliage season is behind schedule!!

I accomplished quite a bit this weekend, in terms of "crafting and creating" for the upcoming holiday shows...This Friday, October 12 from 5 to 8, the Burlington Craft Mafia is having a "Traveling Trunk Show" at RED SQUARE in Burlington, with musical guests "Colin Clary and a Magog." Not a bad way to start out a Friday evening..."go shopping, party, and shop some more!!"

I played around in photoshop today, and made a little halloween greeting card from one of my Witch Art Dolls...titled, "What a Witch." I just love the little red apple... 'tis the season, afterall...

Wickedly Chic!

2007-09-25T22:11:00.000-07:00

I just got an email from Liz over at "Wickedlychic.com" informing me that one of my little "Fairy Tale Snippets" mini-journals was being featured in the "Daily Ditties." Wickedlychic is a website featuring Indie businesses with about 500-600 visitors a day. It's a terrific site with a great many indie artists, crafters and designers....check it out!

http://www.wickedlychic.com/?c=Daily+Ditties

A Rest Stop

2007-09-03T16:21:00.000-07:00

I was outside this afternoon taking photos of some of my art work when this little creature flew in and landed on a branch stalk right next to me...talk about synchronicity! I have been trying to capture a decent photo of a dragonfly for the last few years, and this one happens by just as I have my camera ready- I just wish I had a better zoom camera. I can see why dragonflies are associated with faeries...this one has almost human-like characteristics! Click and zoom in for a closer look!!

"Tis the Season!"

2007-09-02T12:12:00.000-07:00

September already! With Autumn officially around the corner, craft season is here- (and the Art Hop coming up this weekend)! I've been working on gift tags and mini art-journals; taking a break from my art dolls for a while! A few of my gift-tag designs: An elegant finishing touch for your gifts of wine, canned goods/specialty food items, etc. The wine bottle gift tags have "Enjoy!" printed above the vase, as well as a choice of "Enjoy" printed in Spanish, "Goce!" Italian, "Goda!" or French, "Appreciez!" The tags can also be re-used by the individual who receives your gift, as recycling is a very good thing! Designed, printed, and hand-cut by me, of course!

Burlington Gardens

2007-08-21T15:27:00.000-07:00

I just love how so many Burlingtonians create absolutely gorgeous flower gardens (and sometimes vegetables!) right in the heart of "urban" Burlington. Burlington also hosts a "garden tour" of individuals' gardens, and holds a contest for the best garden. A few years ago, a friend won, and I stopped by to see his creation- his old house was on a very busy street, and built into a hillside requiring that I climb about 40 steps to get to his front porch. Cutting through the house to the back door, I looked out and it was almost like being in the "land of Oz..." (no munchkins to be seen, but the feeling of Dorothy's awe was definitely there)! His secluded backyard continued to gradually slope upward, and he had created these wonderous nooks and crannies filled with the most magnificent and exotic blooms, trellises with climbing vines, secret paths, and he had also built a small goldfish pond...needless to say, it was a little Garden of Eden...right in the heart of urban Burlington! The time and effort that goes into creating these mini paradises is incredible! Another favorite of mine is a house on North Avenue- every year the owner creates a new look, but the front and side of his house are just exploding with bright and vibrant color! Each year I vow to ask for permission to take a photo to make a greeting card, but so far I continue to drive by and admire his creation. Last summer, on my way to Advance Music, I took a wrong turn and ended up on South Champlain St. On the corner of King and So. Champlain (the heart of Burl), the occupant of a red brick apartment building had planted a garden of flowers and tomatoes right on the corner near the mailbox. It was almost comical that the "STOP" sign seemed to be telling all to "STOP! and smell the flowers..." Well, my imagination was captured, and I was inspired to try painting this scene...so, here is (a segment) of my oil on canvas, titled, of course, "Stop! and Smell the Flowers..."

Red Square

2007-08-17T14:14:00.000-07:00

Oh...and mark your calendars for Friday, October 12 from 5:00-8:00-ish...

Burlington Craft Mafia are having a Trunk Show at Red Square in Burlington! Stop by for all things hand-made, treats and live music (TBA). Not to mention Red Square is just a cool place to start out your Friday night! Thanks to my right-hand man Louis for the Diane connection. So pending tornados or other natural disasters, see y'all at the Square!

Nearing Autumn!

2007-08-17T12:49:00.000-07:00

An absolutely gorgeous summer day today, and everything is still green! But I am beginning to see hints of red in the maple tree in my back yard...only a month of summer left! The oak tree in my back yard is gargantuan- its branches reach out over my house, and when viewed from across the street, this mighty Oak makes my abode look like a dollhouse! It has got to be one of the bigger trees in Burlington...This morning I found one lone, brownish oak leaf lying on the side of my back steps. Left over from last winter, maybe?? It just seemed so out of place, as all of the leaves on the oak tree are still green...hmmm...maybe it was just getting a jump-start on Fall? Well, I was inspired to make a print of this lone oak leaf, and I took a few liberties in changing its brownish, natural color to a more acceptable "autumn" color...(altho' I think oak leaves turn more yellowish, not red). It is now forever captured on a beautiful note card. I love designs that are simple and natural...this one is a real beauty.

Something New

2007-08-12T16:10:00.000-07:00

It was so nice to spend a quiet weekend at home...putting my watercolor pencils to the test! Here is my tulip "Bouquet;" quite Van Gogh-ish and primitve, but very colorful. I have already turned it into a 5x7 greeting card, and it is actually kind of pretty!

Work in Progress

2007-08-07T18:38:00.000-07:00

I seem to be on a "celestial kick" lately- I've started a sun-spirit, but have not worked on if for a few days. I have actually been working on another art project (and having a LOT of fun with it!) so the break in routine from making the art dolls has been refreshing. I am not ready to go "public" with my current little project; as it is not yet finished- (and will hopefully be on-going) but also because it strays a bit from my traditional, "non-controversial" stuff. Not that this new project is "controversial," perhaps not the best word to use- but it does involve writing, cartoon clips, as well as my own work, contemporary ephemera, "expressive" language, and something similar to "Far-Side" humor. The core of this project is that it deals with the things in life that matter most, but can get one in oh... sooo much heat...."politics, sex and religion!!" (I'm being facetious, here!!) It has been GREAT to express "that other side" of myself, and I've even had a few good laughs! Stay tuned...

Studio STK "Art to Go"

2007-08-01T17:42:00.000-07:00

http://www.studiostk.com/blog/uploaded_images/august_flyer-725899.jpg

I'll be at Studio STK's "Art to Go" show on Friday, August 3rd from 5:00-8:00. Stop in and shop for locally-made, handcrafted items...and check out the fabulous art installations as well!

Sister Moon

2007-07-30T18:12:00.000-07:00

In honor of tonight's FULL MOON... and the natural cycles of tides and menstruations, the revelation of the first spirit-ray; the white-fire which is the absence of color and yet the unity of all colors, representative of intuition, femininity and love...and to all of us who go just a wee bit crazy when she is revealed in full!

Created by my hands with clay, acrylics, wire, cheesecloth, glaze and ribbon.

Midnight Hour...

2007-07-28T18:31:00.001-07:00

I am fortunate in the fact that I enjoy my day job, but I confess, I relish my weekends. My "body-clock" relegates me to the status of "night-owl," and for reasons unknown to me, my creativity comes to life in the late night hours, the witching hour and beyond... Perhaps I have become conditioned to this time-frame because of my years singing in night clubs, into the wee hours of the morning. Being on hiatus from the music world, I have spent my nights in my art space, creating whimsical little "nature-spirit beings," digital photography and greeting cards, and most recently painting. I do not have training in the arts, but I am evolving and enjoying the creative play. I sculpt with polymer clay- completely handmade, no molds or patterns. Growing up with 10 brothers and sisters, we used to wonder how our mother could create a feast out of left-overs...as we used to say, "she could always make something out of nothing." I think that fascination has stuck with me all these years...I love to gather disparate objects, put them together in a way that makes sense, and end up with a one-of-a-kind piece of art. Semi-pictured is "Bat Girl," a midnight elemental completely sculpted by hand and born of my imagination. All of my elementals reflect the natural world, and the feminine energy of creation and protection; it is my way of protesting the "Mars" god-of-war energy permeating the earth today.

Reasons I love Vermont...

2007-07-24T19:53:00.000-07:00

There is so much to love about living here in Vermont...incredible sunsets on the Burlington Waterfront being one of them. The summer of '04 was probably the most incredible in my memory, as far as insanely beautiful, colors-changing-by-the-minute sunsets, down at Breakwaters. Ok, the margueritas and the Phil Abair Band added to the romantic aura of it all, but I am not exaggerating about Burlington sunsets, and as a matter of fact, would offer a challenge to anyone to come up with a more beautiful spot. But there was definitely something about the summer of '04. I haven't seen anything like it since. I photographed the pics above one summer night- down at breakwaters, of course, while Marc held my marguerita , and all the while grooving to "Brown-eyed Girl..." At the time, my young son was driving a hummer up and down the IED-infested roads of the Sunni Triangle with other VTANG comrades, courtesy of (ahem), Kaiser Bush's "War on Terror." And so, in addition to not sleeping for an entire year, all I could think of that whole summer was that we were getting these really incredible sunsets, with amazing arrays of orange, gold and red, courtesy of the atmospheric depleted uranium wafting in from the Middle East...

Did their approval rating go up?

2007-07-24T12:31:00.000-07:00

So it seems the general consensus of those in TV land is that the YouTube Democratic Presidential debate forum was a huge success..."a very interesting debate!" as one media pundit gushed. I agree; it was very risky, creative and edgy thinking on behalf of CNN to actually allow John and Susie Q. Public to ask of the Presidential hopefuls, "So, just what WILL you do if you are elected President?? (I did take note of Anderson Cooper's occasional blood-draining-from-face, near-panic attacks, especially when the Pentagon Papers' Senator was given the floor....albeit briefly)...but the Coop kept his cool and held it together....GO ANDERSON!

And so I ask...or rather, wonder..."Did Congress' approval rating go up, as the result of several of its members being such good sports in allowing common people to grill them on live TV??"
NAHHHHH........! But I'd bet my dog's kibbles and bits that YOUTUBE membership is up 1000%!! (hmmm....I wonder if they have stock offerings.....)

Framed and ready to hang...

2007-07-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

whoa....this blog title is almost a double entendre...(well, I did spend my first seven years of life at 220 Main- for those of you who know this address!!) I mean the mini-urban-art-via- cell- phone pieces I plan on submitting to Art Hop! Made a quick trip to creative habitat for some 5x7 black frames (no, I am not trying to get away with "art on the cheap," I just want the images and the concept to speak for themselves...without going broke...so...) I've posted a few of the pics below, but you'll just have to find my exhibition if you want to see the rest! The more I think about the use of cell phones, the more ideas come to me...hmmm...and speaking of You Tube...I watched the Democratic Presidential blah blah blah debate tonight (hey, Congress has a 16% approval rating; lower than Kaiser Bush's for friggin sake!! Therefore, cynical humor is allowed, justifiable, and even tolerable) with questions posed by YouTubers...Ah, technology...the people's new power?? Muwahhhhh.........!!!!!!...Git yer cell phones out, folks...!!...am off to the Vermont Daily Briefing...

How it begins...

2007-07-21T22:21:00.000-07:00

It's not just "smoke and mirrors..." it also takes a cell phone!

My sister lives in Sarajevo and recently came home for a visit. As soon as she landed in Vermont her cell phone went out of service. She was more than annoyed, and noted that she was able to use her cell phone on a remote little island off the coast of Africa, flying over the Atlantic, but once in Vermont....nothing. She couldn't access any of her over-seas phone numbers, or call our mother from Church Street, 5 blocks away from home. Her irritation and frustration over this loss of instant communication was almost palpable. Now, everyone I know has a cell phone. But I don't. I still communicate the old-fashioned way; via land-line. It's not that I dislike cell phones; in fact, I think they are much more practical and far more interesting than my cordless. I just haven't taken the time to cancel my Verizon- and finances dictate that I have one or the other, but not both. My sister's predicament got me thinking.

Incredible, how in just a few short years the cell phone has changed life as we knew it, and on a global scale. The cell phone is drenched in yin-yang: we all want our kids to have one; for protection and to maintain a constant line of parental communication. Car-driving cell-phone-talkers cause accidents. Funny ringtones keep us amused. Ringing cellphones in the middle of a movie theater annoy us. Cell phone recordings of University Massacres and grisly executions of dictators make the evening news. Cell phone towers and signals might be interfering with birds' migratory patterns and lowering sperm counts in men. Cell phones allow us to be productive and mobile. Cell phones can ruin political and hollywood careers (with the help of YouTube). They can save our lives. They can kill others. In Africa, the mining of tin oxide for the West's quest for more "environmentally friendly" materials to replace lead in mobile phones, has actually resulted in more violence and exploitation of the miners. The list could go on and on. I was intrigued to learn that this past year, my daughter has been using her cell phone not only to communicate with friends and family, but to create mini works of art. I do not know if she has ever thought about all these implications of the cell phone on society. But she has discovered a way to make art. Via her cell phone. The following images are what I call "mini urban-art via cell phone." By Emily

Emily in black and white

2007-07-21T22:12:00.000-07:00

Da Vinci and Vermeer could not have painted a more beautiful face...even more amazing is that the subject is also the artist..."mini urban-art via cell phone," self-imposed art at its most beautiful.

Solar Energy

2007-07-21T22:05:00.000-07:00

Wow. Magical and surrreal. Emily in solar energy.

What a Heel...

2007-07-21T21:53:00.002-07:00

Who needs a Nikon, Olympus or Canon when you have a CELL PHONE?!! Granted, the images are tiny, but it is not size which dictates great art, but rather the VISION of the artist... And it sure helps to have a great pair of heels! Now THIS is true contemporary "mini urban-art via cellphone!!"

2007-07-21T21:53:00.001-07:00

Raina & Emily

2007-07-21T20:19:00.000-07:00

Self-Portrait via Cell Phone

Probably most everyone who owns a cell phone has done this- taken a pic of themselves. Amazing.
Mini urban-art via cell phone at its most spontaneous.

Infection Control

2007-07-21T19:36:00.000-07:00

Emily in her scrubs recently at FAHC... Motto: "If they don't cure you, they'll kill you." No kidding! Another fine example of mini urban-art via cellphone...Hey, ART is LIFE!! (nice work, Emily!!)

Yes, it's summer but...

2007-07-21T18:45:00.000-07:00

In Meltdown... and STILL happy!

Had to post this little snowman happily morphing into a puddle of water. (Muwahhhh!!!!) The end result of the Valentine's Day Blizzard of '07 here in Vermont (my birthday, no less, and I missed out on a fine steak dinner cooked by my son because the visibility driving down north avenue extended only to the frost build-up on the INSIDE of the windshield!! No wonder the snowman is still smirking...melt...MELT, I say)! Another example of mini urban-art via cell phone.

Art Hop

2007-07-21T17:37:00.000-07:00

I'll be participating in SEABA's Art Hop '07 again this year (as soon as I register)! Art Hop is Vermont's biggest arts festival featuring the work of over 400 artists/crafters; showcased in businesses and studios in Burlington's south end. Over 40,000 art-hoppers will be cruising the venues in a two-day period! I'm thinking of showcasing mini urban-artworks via cell phone; taken by my very beautiful and creative daughter Emily. She is away on military active duty, studying for a career in the medical field. They are tiny photographic prints (2.5 x 3 and 3.5 x 4.5 inches) of urban Burlington scenes taken via cell phone. Just to show that one aspect of technology which has had such an incredible impact on a global scale- both good and bad- can also be unexpectedly artistic! check out http://www.seaba.com/

Pictured: "Porch Tub Still Life" Mini urban-art via cell phone

Greetings...

2007-07-21T16:26:00.000-07:00

...and welcome to my little blog in this northern corner of the blogosphere. I'm new to blogging but will figure this all out eventually... Alas, another techno forum to showcase my little artworks, write journal entries to myself and anyone else who cares to read them, and occasionally verbiate my political leanings and opinions. Yes, this is an "art" blog per se, but my other labels also include "singer in a rock n' roll band on hiatus," writer/poet, currently inactive activist, night owl, and altho' I hate to admit it, "political junkie." ( I LOVE that those two words go together so nicely). I know I will find it very difficult to ONLY blog about art and crafts, after all, we humans are 3-dimensional, right?? And I really don't want to deal with 3 or 4 different blog topics 'cause I would have a really hard time remembering all my blogspot passwords. So, here goes... Art here, crafts there, and a little bit of musings sprinkled in between...